Nav Buoys,Nav Hazards??

[graham]

Considering that GPS is almost universally used and chart plotters are becoming cheaper and more common,my belief is that a large percentage of buoys around the UK are now surplus to requirements.

Obviously those marking main channels into ports ,rocks and sand banks etc are still required but in every area there seems to be a handfull of buoys with no apparent significance.

I have put this idea to a number of people ranging from Ships captains to small yacht owners and generally find people agree.

Before anyone harps on about what if GPS is switched off I am not referring to the main navigational marks.In any case navigation of the join the dots together variety and reading the name off every bouy usually indicates a lack of competence.

 

[StugeronSteve]

I can't think of too many that aren't either main navigational marks or channel / hazard markers.

IMHO preparing a list of relevant buoyage (including light signatures) in readiness for entering a strange harbour, or when passing through congested waters, such as the central / eastern Solent, at night time, is good seamanship and I hope that I long continue to do so.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[Mike21]

Must agree, find the buoyage very useful especially for night navigation and tend to use them in familiar waters instead of using gps

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[powerskipper]

There is a unit available that can block GPS signals, Also the GPS can be out a bit, have you ever checked, your's when on your mooring, does it put your where you know you are? so there is no way I wish Nav buoys to be removed. [I am very attached to my boys./forums/images/icons/wink.gif.. oops buoys/forums/images/icons/smile.gifand know a lot of there names]

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[dralex]

It's all black, black, BLACK ( Fast Show ref). Must say I tend to navigate by pilotage rather than head down on the GPS when coming into harbours- it would be like using GPS in fog if someone turned all the lights off- you know it's probably right but ther's just a hint of paranoid uncertainty.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[AJW]

I'm confused. What proliferation of buoys that are NOT for navigational use are there?

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[boatless]

It would certainly make racing a lot more simple if there weren't any marks...

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[dralex]

Those pink ones, sometimes have flags on them. Not good to navigate by. Actually, on second thoughts, they mark the route all the way from Dartmouth to Salcombe.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[kilkerr1]

Me too.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings</A>

 

[AJW]

Blinding flash of inspiration??

By jove I've got it! The must have boating product that will make me my fortune. The "Potmarker Angel" (TM). Just like those GPS Gatso camera warning thingies you can get for your car with a database of all speedtrap locations, except it has the location of all pot markers. Think of it! The warning buzzer as you come near a pot marker, the joy as you turn away, the sigh of relief that you've missed being ensnared! Oh yes, its gonna be the must have accessory this year!



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[dralex]

Re: Blinding flash of inspiration??

Like it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[BrendanS]

Pottering about the Solent in the dark is a bit like wandering around your garden at night. You know where everything is (familiar waters).

I must admit to using GPS a lot more in unfamiliar waters, and trust it more than my perception of having identified the correct lights/bouys

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Peppermint]

Re: No. I\'m sorry I don\'t get it.

GPS is for navigation betwen areas of pilotage. Buoys are good for pilotage.

I'd rather hang onto most of them thank you.

In fact any chance we could get some of the lights boosted up a bit?

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[duncan]

surprised BarryH hasn't commented............../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

In principle I agree as at night I rely on the plotter(s) and vessels navigation lights, and get annoyed by the poorly light buoys that aren't where the electronic charts originally plotted them. However radar has solved that for larger buoys.

Related rant - for years we have had a nice set of red withies marking the edge of the channel at Rockley (Poole) and now some muppet has gone and added green ones about 20yds from them - the channel doesn't shallow significantly on that side for another 30 yds and the damm things are exactly where a prudent skipper would choose to travel up the channel in the dark! Needless to say in 3 months 3 withies (2 green 1 red) have become modified..............

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Blinding flash of inspiration??

nah, the buzzer would flatten my bettery as it would never stop,

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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